Cassette changer for femoral arteriography



Sept. 5, 1961 c. CURRY CASSETTE CHANGER FOR FEZMORAL ARTERIOGRAPHY FiledFeb. 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Charles L. Curry BY Zo W Fig.3

ATTORNEY Sept. 5, 1961 c. L. CURRY 2,999,159

CASSETTE CHANGER FOR FEMORAL ARTERIOGRAPHY Filed Feb. 24, 1959 2SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR Charles L. Curry ATTORNEY nited States Pate Thisinvention relates to a cassette changer for femoral arteriography, andit concerns more particularly an X- ray table for use in femoralarteriography having incorporated therein an automatic cassette changer.

In femoral arteriography, which involves taking X-ray pictures of apatients legs for the purpose of studying the condition of his arteries,it is common practice to inject a dye in a leg artery, for use as atracer, and thereafter to take one or more X-ray pictures of the leg.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus wherebya series of X-ray pictures may be taken of a patients leg, uponinjection of such a tracer, showing progressively longitudinal sectionsof the leg as the tracer advances along the artery.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for use infemoral arteriography comprising, in combination with an X-ray tableadapted to support a patient in position for taking X-ray pictures ofhis legs, automatic means for presenting in rapid succession, forpredetermined time intervals, a series of prepared X-ray film units,commonly referred to as cassettes, in operative position below the tabletop, and below one of the patients legs supported on the table top,whereby the cassettes are adapted to be progressively exposed to theaction of X-rays from a source positioned above the table.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as describedwhich includes a polygonal drum rotatably mounted on a fixed shaftarranged longitudinally of the table, below the top thereof, the drumbeing formed of lead sheeting and having means for attaching cassettesto the respective sides thereof, and arranged in advancing sequence, acoil springsurrounding the shaft and acting on the drum to rotate itrelative to the shaft, mutually engaging means carried by the table andthe drum adapted to releasably secure the drum in each of severalrotative positions, whereby the cassettes are successively presented inoperative position below the table top, and electrically operable meansfor releasing the mutually engaging means.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as described inwhich the shaft carrying the cassettes supporting drum is rigidlysecured to a sub-frame which is supported on the frame of the table,below its top, for longitudinal movement relative thereto, whereby theeassette supporting drum is conveniently accessible.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as describedwhich permits the use of cassettes of relatively small size, which aresubstantially less expensive than larger ones.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as describedwhereby a series of X-ray pictures may be taken of a patients leg, uponinjection of a tracer, showing progressively longitudinal sections ofthe leg as the tracer advances along the artery, the section shown in atleast one of the pictures being partially coextensive with the sectionshown in another picture of the series. The tracer dye usually advancesrelatively fast and it is desirable to expose the cassettes along thecourse of the tracer progressively in order to insure a clear andaccurate picture which may not result by the use of a single cassetteshowing the entire arterial system along the leg in a single exposure.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as described inwhich the width of each side of the cassette supporting drum correspondssubstantially to the width of a cassette, the drum being substantiallyAnother object of the invention is to provide appara-. tus as describedin which the table top has lead strips arranged along opposite sidesthereof and extending a portion of its length correspondingsubstantially to the length of the cassette supporting drum, the leadstrips being spaced apart from each other a distance correspondingsubstantially to the width of a cassette.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus as describedwhich is of simple, rugged construction, is. adapted to be manufacturedinexpensively, and is efii cient in operation and durable in use.

The invention will be readily understood by referring to the followingdescription and the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an X-ray table embodying theinvention, the top of the table being removed to show the cassettesupporting drum.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the table top.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectionalelevational view,-

on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG- URE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a top plan view of the table, showing the top removed.

FIGURE 5 is a side elevational view of the table, showing the top inplace.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line 6-6 of FIGURE5.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of the cassette supporting drum andthe fixed shaft on which the same is rotatably supported, and

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, showing a modified form of thecassette supporting drum. 1

Referring to the drawing, the numeral -1 designates generally the frameof an X-ray table adapted to support a patient in position for takingX-ray pictures of his legs, and the numeral 2 designates the topthereof.

As shown, the frame 1 is generally rectangular, and is supported at itscorners on two pairs of legs 3', which, have casters 4. Two pairs ofside rails 5 are each connected at its ends to the legs 3 of one pair.The side rails 5 of each pair are spaced vertically relative to eachother, and are connected to the corresponding legs 3 adjacent theirupper and lower ends, respectively. A pairv of end rails 6, which arepositioned adjacent opposite ends of the frame 1, are each connected atits ends to a leg 3 of each pair, adjacent its lower end.

A cross bar 7, which is positioned adjacent one end of the frame 1, isconnected at its ends to a leg 3 of each, pair, intermediate its ends,in vertically spaced relation to the adjacent end rail 6, for use ashereinafter described. A pair of cross bars 8 are positioned adjacentopposite ends of the frame 1, and are supported at their ends on theuppermost side rails 5.

A sub-frame, which is indicated generally by the numeral 9, is supportedon the frame 1, below the top 2,.

12 which extend laterally outwardly from opposite sides-'- of thesub-frame 9, for use as hereinafter described. The end members 11advantageously may be right angular in transverse section.

A pair of rollers 13, which are mounted on brackets 14 secured to theuppermost side rails 5, intermediate their ends, are engageable underthe flanges 12 of the respective side bars 10, whereby the sub-frame 9is adapted to be supported for longitudinal movement relative totheframe 1.

A pair of rollers 15, which are mounted on brackets 16 secured to theuppermost side rails near one end of the frame 1, are engageable overthe flanges 12 of the respective side bars to thereby limit pivotalmovement of the adjacent end of the sub-frame 9 about the rollers 13 inan upward direction while at the same time permitting downward pivotalmovement thereof.

A fixed shaft 17 is arranged longitudinally of the sub frame 9, alongits longitudinal center line, and is rigidly connected to the endmembers 11. One end of the shaft 17 extends outwardly beyond theadjacent end member 11, as at 13, for engagement with a clamp 19 mountedon the cross bar 7, whereby the extended end 18 of the shaft 17 isadapted'to be removably secured to the frame 1.

The ends of the side bars 10 adjacent the extended end 18 of the shaft17 are additionally connected in parallel, spaced apart relation to eachother by a flat plate 23, which is also connected to the shaft 17. Theplate 26 serves as a spacer element, whereby the side bars 10 and theshaft 17 are rigidly connected in parallel, spaced apart relation toeach other, and also serves as a counter weight, the weight thereofbeing balanced against the weight of the opposite end of the sub-frame9.

A polygonal drum 21 is rotatably mounted on the shaft 17,adjacent theend thereof opposite the extended end 18. The drum 21 comprises a lightmetal frame which may be enclosed by lead sheeting and has means ashereinafter described for attaching cassettes, indicated by the numerals22, to the respective sides thereof.

A plurality of strips 23, which extend across the several sides of thedrum 21, are each engageable with an end portion of a cassette 22, and aplurality of pairs of clips 24, which are attached to the sides of thedrum 2-1 in spaced apart relation to the respective strips 23, areengageable with the ends of the cassettes 22 opposite the strips 23,whereby the cassettes 22 are adapted to be removably secured to thesides of the drum 21. Each side of thedrum 21 has a pair of longitudinalflanges 25 positioned adjacent the edges thereof. The flanges 25 areerzigageable with the longitudinal edges of the cassettes 2 The sides ofthe drum 21 are substantially rectangular, and the width of each sidecorresponds substantially to the width of a cassette 22. The drum 21 issubstantially longer than the cassettes 22, and the positions of thestrips 23 and the clips 24 are such that the cassettes 22 are adapted tobe secured, respectively, to adjoining sides of the drum 21 inprogressively spaced relation to the ends of the drum 21.

As shown in FIGURES 1 to 7, the drum 21 has four siges, while FIGURE 8shows a drum 21 having six si es.

A coil spring 26 surrounds the shaft 17 and is connected at its ends tothe shaft 17 and the drum 21. The spring 26 acts on the drum 21 torotate it relative to the shaft 17. The spring 26 is enclosed within aspring housing 27 which is attached to the end of the drum 21 nearestthe'extended end 18 of the shaft 17, in spaced apart relation to theplate 20.

A circular flange 28 surrounds the shaft 17 and is attached to the endof the drum 21 opposite the spring housing 27, in opposed relation tothe adjacent end member -11 of the sub-frame 9. A plurality ofcircumferentially spaced indentations 29 are formed in the peripheraledge of the flange 28' for engagement by a pin 30, which is actuated bya solenoid 31 mounted on a bracket 32 attached to the adjacent endmember 11. The pin 30 is adapted to releasably secure the drum 21 ineach of several rotative positions, whereby the cassettes 22 aresuccessively presented in operative position below the table top 2. Thepin 30 is adapted to be disengaged from the respective indentations 29upon energizing the solenoid 31.

The invention contemplates the use of suitable electrical circuits (notshown) whereby the drum 21 may be caused to move from one rotativeposition to another, according to a predetermined cycle, whereby thecassettes 22 are successively presented in operative position below thetable top 2, for predetermined time intervals, automatically uponclosing a single switch.

A pair of lead strips 33 are arranged along opposite sides of the tabletop 2, and extend a portion of its length corresponding substantially tothe length of the drum 21. The lead strips 33 are spaced apart from eachother a distance corresponding substantially to the width of a cassette22.

The lead of the drum 21 prevents exposure of more than one of thecassettes 22 at a time, and the lead of the strips 33 prevents scatteredradiation.

The apparatus shown is fully automatic, and is adapted to be operated byremote control, whereby only the patient needs to be exposed toradiation, the operator remaining in a safe place.

The invention may be modified in various ways without departing from thespirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in femoral arteriography comprising, in combinationwith an X-ray table adapted to support a patient in position for takingX-ray pictures of his legs, automatic means for presenting in rapidsuccession, for predetermined time intervals, 21 series of cassettes inoperative position below the table top, and below one of the patientslegs supported on the table top, the said automatic means comprising arotatable polygonal drum carrying one of said cassettes on each planarside thereof and spaced longitudinally of said drum whereby thecassettes are adapted to be progressively exposed to the action ofX-rays from a source positioned above the table and at differentstations therealong.

2. Apparatus for use in femoral arteriography comprising, in combinationwith an X-ray table adapted to support a patient in position for takingX-ray pictures of his legs, a polygonal drum rotatably mounted on afixcd shaft arranged longitudinally of the table, below the top thereof,the drum being formed of lead and having means for attaching a cassetteto each of the respective sides thereof, and spacedlongitudinally ofsaid drum, a coil spring surrounding the shaft and acting on the drum torotate it relative to the shaft, mutually engaging means carried by thetable and the drum adapted to releasably secure the drum in each ofseveral rotative positions, whereby the cassettes are successivelypresented in operative position below the table top, and at differentsuccessive stations therealong and electrically operable means forreleasing the mutually engaging means.

3. Apparatus for use in femoral arteriography comprising, in combinationwith an X-ray table having a frame and a top supported on the frame, asub-frame having means supporting it on the frame of the table, belowits top, for longitudinal movement relative to the table, whereby thesub-frame is movable from a retracted position, in which it is disposedbelow the table top to an extended position in which it extendslongitudinally beyond the adjacent end of the table top, a fixed shaftarranged longitudinally of the sub-frame, a polygonal drum rotatablymounted on the shaft, the drum being formed of lead and having means forattaching :1 cassette to each of the respective sides thereof, the saidcassettes arranged at different spacings along said drum, a coil springsurrounding the shaft and acting on the drum to rotate it relative tothe shaft, mutually engaging means carried by the sub-frame and the drumadapted to releasably secure the drum in each of several rotativepositions, whereby the cassettes are successively presented in differentoperative positions below and along the length of the table top, andelectrically operable means for releasing the mutually engaging means.

4. The structure of claim 2, the sides of the drum being substantiallyrectangular and the width of each side corresponding substantially tothe width of a cassette, the drum being substantially longer than thecas- 10 settes and having means for securing the respective cassettes toadjoining sides thereof in progressively spaced relation to its ends.

5. The structure of claim 2, the table top having lead 5 to the width ofa cassette.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,858,445 Kizaur Oct. 28, 1958 2,881,323 Clark Apr. 7, 1959 FOREIGNPATENTS 407,790 Germany Jan. 2, 1925 1,041,350 Germany Oct. 16, 1958

